There is so much that I want to tell you about The Recording Academy. But tonight a tragic natural disaster takes center stage at the GRAMMYs. And once again, the music industry is coming together to do what we do best - heal and help.

On Music's Biggest Night, we have shown you music's true heart and soul. Our gifted artists have once again demonstrated their humanity and caring — leaving egos at home and pulling together for a cause of undeniable urgency.

It underscores why musicians all around the world — the superstars and the up-and-comers - all deserve your support when it comes to owning and enjoying their music. So on their behalf, I urge you to make a contribution to tsunami relief. You can see tonight's amazing performance of "Across The Universe" by logging on to CBS.com, and downloading the track on iTunes. All of the proceeds received will be donated to those who continue to need our help and depend on our generosity and care.

In the days ahead, you can count on the entire music community to continue to play our part in supplying hope and inspiration to us all.

You can also count on the GRAMMY Foundation's commitment to the proposition that every child deserves an opportunity to explore and be exposed to music and the arts in school. That cannot be optional if we desire a nation of thoughtful and well-rounded individuals.

You can depend on our MusiCares Foundation to provide philanthropy and charity to people in the music community who are in need - any time, any place. We are proud to celebrate MusiCares' 15th anniversary by honoring the legendary Brian Wilson as our Person of the Year -and for his remarkable contributions to our musical culture.

And you can surely count on the Academy's commitment to the protection of the intellectual property rights of those who create and make the music, which serves as the soundtrack of our lives. Our award-winning Web site What'sTheDownload.com - launched on this stage last year - has helped educate more than half a million music fans about the issues and the ethics surrounding the downloading of music.

And the Academy helped to influence the Supreme Court to consider a case next month vital to music makers everywhere. We will continue to advocate for their ability to earn a living and be compensated for their musical creations, which improve the quality of our lives every day.

Now, back to tonight's celebration. I hope you are enjoying the 47th Annual GRAMMY Awards - watched by 690 million people in 179 countries around the world. We're featuring 258 musicians, 24 live performances, four stages and 107 categories of music awarded by our voting members to their peers. And that's why the GRAMMYs represent the pinnacle of musical achievement and excellence.

As the GRAMMYs honor those who continue to create, we also honor those who have left a permanent legacy. As I leave you tonight, we recall some of our family who will be remembered-¦as long as their music can be heard.